Mazel Tov!

This Saturday I had the pleasure of photographing my first bat mitzvah. I got incredibly lucky - not only is she a beautiful, confident young woman, but her family was extremely helpful in guiding me through everything. 

It was a beautiful ceremony. There was an unusual treat: No cameras allowed during the real deal, so I got to photograph the rehearsal (which I was free to interrupt, pause, and pose), and then to actually sit and enjoy the real ceremony. I love that there is an emphasis placed not only on spiritual growth, but also on working to improve this world in concrete, practical ways. 

Following the ceremony was a reception with great food, great music (a live klezmer band!), and an opportunity to take a photo that I suspect every event photographer looks forward to taking at some point.

You know the one.

It was a great time, and it's something I hope I can do more of in the future. 

Engagement Audible

Yesterday was shaping up to be a perfect engagement shoot. The weather was sunny and surprisingly warm for mid-November. Everyone was on time and looking sharp. 

Then we got to the park we'd selected, and found the entrances barred and locked.

Take a breath - these things happen - and call an audible.

Luckily, I knew of another park just down the road that was not quite as large or interesting but had the advantage of being open.

Jillian and Kevin rolled with the change, and we were able to grab a ton of great pictures. It helped that they are obviously, ridiculously in love. Makes my job easier.

Indeed the only trouble we had came from some local wildlife who really, really wanted to participate in the shoot.

I'm excited to work with them next year on their wedding. I know they're going to be amazing.

A Windy Wedding

Kamila and Kedar's wedding got off to a chilly start - literally, the weather was not cooperative. But they powered through, and the day made for plenty of beautiful photos.

From there, we moved inside for some posed photos, a few polish traditions, a very tasty dinner...

And dancing. Don't. Forget. Dancing.

A quick one but a lot of fun.

Seaside in October

(I'm in Minnesota this week, so here's a closer look at one of my weddings from my very busy weekend back in October.)

Stephanie and Brendan told me that their biggest priority at their wedding was to have fun. Mission accomplished.

After some prep in a local hotel, we moved to Lighthouse Point Park for everything else. It's a beautiful location, and we got loads of photos with the lighthouse and the ocean providing scenic backdrops.

Thankfully, the rain held out just long enough for us to get through the ceremony. Don Gentile was the Justice of the Peace. My favorite part was his use of pieces of Justice Anthony Kennedy's gay marriage majority decision in the ceremony. I wont be surprised if I see Justice Kennedy's touching remarks showing up at many weddings going forward.

Marriage is sacred to those who live by their religions and offers unique fulfillment to those who find meaning in the secular realm. Its dynamic allows two people to find a life that could not be found alone, for a marriage becomes greater than just the two persons. Rising from the most basic human needs, marriage is essential to our most profound hopes and aspirations.

From there, we moved inside and out of the weather for some toasts, a delicious BBQ buffet dinner, carousel rides... 

...and dancing.

Lots and lots of dancing! It was a blast, and a great start to a very busy weekend for me.

Love in Disguise

Today I second shot for Kat Loughery at a wedding in Simsbury, CT. Second shooting isn't something I have done a ton of, but I'm trying to do it more often. It's a lot of fun to see how other people work and what I can learn from them.

Jessica and Jordan's wedding was a special treat - not only because Kat and her other second shooters were fun to work with, but also because it was a costume wedding.

When I was first getting started as a professional photographer, I missed a chance to do a Jedi wedding. I feel like I've made up for it after today.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Dancing in the Dark

I knew going in that John and Eileen's wedding would be technically challenging. Clark Chapel at the Pomfret School is beautiful, but no one would ever accuse it of having too many windows. Likewise, their reception was at Bullard Tavern in Old Sturbridge Village. Again, beautiful location, but the 1830's were not known for their bright electric lights.

But technical challenges just need a technical solution, and we came prepared with loads more lighting equipment than usual. (Indeed, more than we ended up needing - apparently the 1830's were fairly well lit.) With a little help from my second shooter Margit in holding and positioning lights, we were able to capture everything we wanted.

Sturbridge Village was especially a treat - I'm pretty sure I haven't been there since a field trip in the fifth grade. Getting to walk around and take some photos in the empty park was a lot of fun.

Bullard Tavern has an interesting layout for weddings, with separate dining and dancing rooms. I like it - two intimate and very different locations for the price of one.

I can't wait to edit the rest of these images, and I expect I'll be bringing more lights to future shoots as well, no matter what century they're in.

An Engagement in the Crossfire

Shannon and Andy are a fantastic couple to work with - laid back, fun, photogenic.

On top of that, we got unbelievably lucky with the weather. Despite some unseasonably cold weather lately (We had snow flurries. In mid October.) today was warm and breezy, a last hurrah of summer, and perfect for some outdoor engagement photos.

But lets be real - you came here to figure out what "in the crossfire" means. Well...

I can't wait to see what they do for the wedding.

A Friend's Engagement

Yesterday was a busy day in the Wussow household. 

My friends Victor and Faith got engaged recently, and we offered our house to host an engagement party for them.

The day started with a chilly but beautiful engagement shoot at some local parks.

Then lots of planning, prepping, cooking, and finally partying for the rest of the day. As a treat for the couple (and myself, because it's fun) I got out my ring light setup and ran a little photo-booth out of a side room.

I even found someone to take over camera duties so Heather and I could get a couple photos of us.

So happy for Faith and Vic, and can't wait to photograph their wedding next year!